February 28, 2014 -- The temperature outside was low, but the spirits inside were high yesterday at the CT Lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill when John Custer of Norwalk finally stepped forward to claim the $1,000,000 top prize from the “New Year’s $1,000,000 Super Draw” drawing held on January 1.

“A couple weeks after the drawing, I saw something on the computer that prompted me to check my Super Draw ticket,” Custer said. “I got my ticket and checked it against the winning number shown on the computer, and did a double-take.” Custer’s ticket number – 198104 – was an exact match to the $1,000,000 top prize winning ticket number drawn on January 1.

“I checked the number and my ticket three or four more times and didn’t tell my wife, Regina, until a week later that we won. I wanted to be really sure it was real first,” Custer told Lottery officials with a laugh.

A lottery retailer since May, 2011, Stew Leonard’s farm fresh food store was also very excited about Custer’s big win. Custer purchased his top prize winning ticket from Stew’s in Norwalk, located at 100 Westport Avenue, and will receive a $10,000 bonus check from the CT Lottery for selling the ticket.

“WOW! A million dollar CT Lottery winner at Stew’s in Norwalk. I hope I get to shake their hand!” said Stew Leonard Jr., President and CEO of Stew Leonard’s.